Played 2-27-18. Played as the rain stopped and had the course to myself for the most part. Visually a very beautiful course. Fun layout. Tee boxes in good shape, fairways brown in spots but no more than all our So Cal courses these days. Greens were in great shape. Moderate speed but held well and rolled true. Design is somewhat forgiving in that tee shots off the fairway will often roll into the short grass for you. Look forward to coming back. A strong 6.5 to 7.
Went out yesterday after Noon to beat the rain? So did many others. But still got around in 4 hours which could have been less (oh well).
Course is doing well, since my last review. The only real issue is with the bunkers. Many do not have enough sand and you might just as well take a drop? Left a message with the superintendent by phone (hope he acts on it).
Tee boxes are fine.
Fairways have good coverage, roll and lies.
Greens are still in very nice shape (chip, putt well and have good speed). What rough you encounter is manageable.
A quick update on course conditions. Greens are fast and smooth as usual but are starting to show signs of needing aeration. Still, they remain a strong suit of the course. Fairways are dormant but very playable. Sand traps actually have SAND!!!
The Maintenance crew was out today dumping sand in a few of the bunkers so it looks like they are in the process of upgrading the bunkers to quality sand.
After that the only thing the course needs is a lake or two. Clubhouse is the best in the valley with Pheasant Run being a close second. Nothing else even comes close.
Played Hidden Valley for the first time with Orangegolfer and Larrryq2001 on Wednesday mid-morning for $44 including cart, I believe their standard weekday rate. These two guys are friendly gents, and great golfers, and both had nice rounds from the blues. I hacked it around from the whites. We waited on the tees throughout the round, and forgot to notice when we finished. It must’ve been close to a 5 hour round. You could see lots of golfers on every hole from the many panoramic views this course provides.
The Review
White tee boxes were pretty rough, with divots galore on most. A handful had mounds and slopes to deal with. The whites/blue markers were paired together on the par5 15th hole, presenting us with a downslope for the entire legal teeing area.
Fairways were in winter condition, a bit wet from rain, and had evidence of a recent punching on a few holes. Inconsistent grasses and thin at times. But, generally, the ball sat up well and were easy to take decent shots w/divots. On three holes, had approach shots land and then roll backwards 20-40 yards before finding a comfy spot that pleased it. Had other sideways kicks that went plenty more. Between this feature, various blind shots and several ill-conceived/placed forced carries (imho) reminded me of the now defunct Champions at the Retreat course on multiple holes. Rough was inconsistent in length. Water in several bunkers.
What to expect
Thought the greens were in very good/great condition and certainly the best feature of the course. The putts on the practice green were lightening fast, with the ball rolling down slopes, 20-30 feet before finding a spot to settle in. On the course, a little less stupid, and the greens held shots fairly well. They were actually soft to walk on, which helped them to not be a total menace to putt. They were still very fast, and with the many undulations and slopes, the ball could easily end up 4-6 feet past the hole on a downhill 10-footer, or take the ball 30 feet plus away from the hole as it took the slope away from the hole. Greens were indeed lush, and in spite of a number of repaired divot marks, ball rolled excellently and smooth, with few bumps along the way.
Saw the cart lady on both 9s. The course could use toilet facilities on the front, and more water jugs throughout. GPS on carts worked very well, allowing you to pick a spot on the hole to measure hazards, etc. Of note, the GPS provides front/back of green and a target marker in the center of the green, that is indeed for ‘center of green’, not the flag location.
The Bottom Line
Would like to come back in late spring/early summer and try the course again. Great scenery and views almost make up for my minor gripes about the course design. For my short-hitter game, this course presents an extra challenge and required a few silly layups with wedges, even after good drives (210-220yds) from the whites, to avoid hazards that I would have a very tough time carrying with a 5 or even a 3 wood.
Played the Purple tees (6676/72.1/136) with Jake, Tommy & Andy in around 4 1/2 hours. the weather was clear and breezy, around 80. Firecliff has a beautiful layout, well above average even by the high standards of the Palm Springs area.
The tees were mostly lush with even the par 3’s fairly well maintained for divots.
The over seeded fairways were very lush. Firm with a decent amount of roll.
The over seeded rough was excellent to play out of. The ball sat up and playing even longer clubs still a viable option. Very nice to chip out of.
The traps had thick sand that was very difficult to play from. Decently maintained, rarely do I comment that the sand is too thick and deep… but these were exactly that.
The greens were firm, smooth and quick. Few ball marks and firm.
The customer service was exceptional from all encountered. The drink cart was out making the rounds & complementary range balls are included with your round on a great practice facility. Really solid course, not tight off the tee but there is plenty of trouble to avoid as your approach the greens. Numerous lakes, large deep traps and desert scape lurking just off most fairways and behind most greens is a lost ball waiting to happen. Numerous fairways appear tight from the tee vantage point. However, this is much more of a grip it & rip it course than 1st impressions would indicate. I find most of the fairways are generous in width once you get out over 175 yards from the Purple tees. One of my favorite courses in the Palm Springs area, highly recommend.
Reviewed by: 24hourgolf, Redondo Beach
Played yesterday. Hard to believe this course is older (1926) than it’s famous neighbor Pasatiempo (1929) up the road. Who knew golf was so popular in Santa Cruz in the 20″s?
One of my favorite courses in the area when I am up here. Not an overly long course (6034) but a challenging course, due to elevation changes (especially the greens) rough (lots of ice plant), small greens and Out of Bounds (OB.)
Course was in great shape. Tee boxes fine. Fairways had good coverage, good lies and decent roll. Bunkers were very good and playable. Rough was prevalent along fairways and around greens and the ice plant was wicked. Greens were just great and local knowledge goes a long way in playing here. Great customer service.
Ernie Banks was fond of saying “let’s play 2”. So after I checked into the hotel, I did just that.
Love this course. Great location, great staff, great food and great golf. Play into the woods and then play along the ocean (like playing Spyglass but at a way less expensive price IMO). Tee boxes were all fine. Fairways were good and provided decent lies and roll. Bunkers were all playable and no complaints. Rough was playable on the front and back (except for that d%mn ice plant). Greens were very nice and playable, as well as consistent.
Great place to have a snack/beer (maybe 2) after an afternoon round and watch the sunset.
Great customer service.
Yes the area is known for better known courses, but you won’t be disappointed if you play here.
Walked the Blues (6083/69.6/116) in 4H with Vince in breezy conditions in the 50’s. $32 to walk, tough walking course with all the hills. We occasionally waited on the walking 2some in front of us but things moved well overall.
You do not expect a hilly course less than a mile from the beach. This layout would remind you much more of a mountain course than a beach course. Not tight, the tree lined fairways are constantly up down hills, some severely up/down.
The tees were mostly decent, mowed down and well maintained.
Both the fairways and rough had good coverage. More winter thin than lush, but they both played decently.
There are only a few sand traps on the course. Was not in any, but they looked decent walking by, few foot prints.
The smallish greens putted nice. Medium fast, smooth and held approach shots well. No large tiers or mounds, these greens are old school… but there are few straight putts and anything above the hole and you are in trouble on numerous greens. Really liked the greens, saw the lines well.
The par 71 layout is a plus. Three par 5’s, four par 3’s, with all the par 3’s playing downhill, so the yardages are deceptive. Some doglegs, a couple of blind tees shots. The area around the greens is mowed down like a links course, so everything from a putter to a lob wedge may be a viable option from 15 yards off most greens. Customer service was good, checked in and right out to the 1st tee. No drink cart, Marshall out patrolling but just seemed to glance on his way by. I would definitely play here again, very fun course. Recommended.
